Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-02-23
DlKOTl's WISE MEN.
What They Are Accomplishing From
Week to Week in Their Coun.
ellis ct Bismarck.
The Lonely Lobby-Ah Important Bill
From the Department Of Pub
lie Instruction.

IlC lMStI uctlOus
BISMARCK, Feb. 17.--Tbat the present
Legislative Assembly is one OF the best il
not the best, that ever met in Dakota be.
comes every day more apparent as the ses-
sion progresses. Exaggerated reports
have been sent out as to the size and
quality OF the lobby. The truth is, at no
time, during the session, thus far, has
there been to exceed a couple Of dozen pro.
fessional lobbiest on hand. True there
are certain men in attendance on The Leg
~islature, who have matters of interest af-
fecting their sections, but there is ahso-
lutely none Of that d~isggaceiul ~entrigu.ng
which has heretofore been so freely charged
TO Dakota Legislatures.
Already it IL plan the Legislature is try
ing 10 do 100 much. Bills ave b.en IN.
trodueed upon almost every conceivable
subject, and i'll some cases three or four of
u kind, with little variations. The attempt
TO overdo is the one thing that impedes
useful legislation. The Territorial
Superintendent has prepared an ex-
haustive school bill VIII ch covers
ninety.nine pages Of bill PIPER. 1t WIS
introduced by Councilman Bosart, Of Bon
Homme, who will have to do some heavy
gladiator work TO secure its final passage.
This bill is one OF The most important yet
introduced, because it completely super
sedes the present law in almost every es-
sentinl, which naturally effects the whole
Territory materially. 1t appears to be the
retiring Superintenlent's aim TO give Da.
kota q common school system, which, if
adopted in its entirety, woull place the
schools OF the Territory upon a footing
second to more in the Union. One feature
OF this far-reaching measure is the crea-
ton OF a Territorial board of four men,
with salaries at $1,000 each, and necessary
travelling expenses, the board 10 select a
clerk, having a salary Of $1,000 a year.
This board to have power to issue %certiti-
Gates to teachers good for ten and five
years, unless sooner revoked.
Much seems to have been expected of
the present Assembly in the direction OF
railroad control. 1t is perhaps too o to
say this expectation is not likely TO be
realized. A number of bills have been in
troduced, but SO far they have not Jared
well in the hands Of the committees. The
Elliott bill. which gives the Railroad Com
missioners power to fix the maximum rates,
was smothered in the committee until Mr..
Elliott had the House call it up. 1t is be-
ing holly contested, and, if straws show
which way the wind blows, it will be de-
feated.
For some days a new revenue bill has
been engaging the Council. 1t is a fairly
good measure, but is raising a hurricane in
the Council that forebodes disaster. This
bill contemplates a thorough revision of
the present assessment law, taxes mort
cages and every form of credits, while it
deducts all forms of indebtedness from
assessed valuations.
The present assembly Is unquestionably
q temperance body, and the House leads
the Council i'll the matter OF being radical.
There is also a spirit of gallantry in the
House, and, if that body is not ballasted
by the Council, woman suffrage is quite
likely to be added to the privileges enjoyed
by the ladies Of Dakota. Both temper
ance and m sutfrags have a strong
champion in the member from Sully
County, j. NJ. Moore, a man in his 73d
year. He is o fluent DICTATOR, with a rich
wien Of humor, but in all things serious and
honest. 1t is worthy of emark that the
local option bill found no organized OPP
position, nor did there seem to be any dis
agreement upon it as TO locality; the South,
the North and the Black Hills in both
houses gave the measure a cordial support.
This act is practically the Iowa prohibitory
law, with a local option attachment, and if
the report Of members is relinble, full
sixty of the eighty four organized counties
will be sure to adopt il.
One Of the most spirited debates of the
session turned upon the Mitchell YanktM
court house bill. 1t is currently reported
that this bill is a pivotal measure, AMI that
the champions of each side of the contro-
versy hinge their every act upon the prob
able effect it may have upon the removal
question. So current has been the rumor
as to how this vexed question was affecting
all others that some half-dozen gentlemen,
from their seats in the Council, openly
stated that SO far as they were concerned it
in no manner affected them. This did not
prevent Councilman Cain, OF Huron, from
boldly saying it was the Devil-fish of the
present session and had fastened its enta-
cles upon every bill great or small. This
view is shared by the public generally. As
TO the final outcome, it o looks as il
Mitchell would carry the House by a small
majority, but Yankton seems to have its
hand on the Council.
The creation Of several new Offices with
good fees and salaries is in contemplation.
Among these is an inspector Of coal oil,
who is TO have 90 cents for each barrel in
spected. It is estimated that his will CIV.
a berth worth $4,000 to some one, and
the Republican Council passed the bill
leaving a Democratic Governor TO appoint
the lucky man should the Hous, also pass
it. A fish inspector, a public ex-
aminer OF accounts, Territorial
veterinary, and an education board
are some Of the proposed fat pickings for
the faithful. On the other hand, an econ-
omical lawmaker is urging the abolition of
the Office OF immigration Commissioner
and that Of Railway Commissioner TAX
ing into consideration the genial warmth
of Dakota blood, the chances are largely in
favor Of creation rather than abolition.
The talk about il. feeling between North
and South Dakota needs to look elsewhere
than the present Assembly for contlrma-
ton. If such feeling exists, the members
have it in excellent control. No body of
men ever appeared on be.t r terms than are
those OF the present Dakota Legislative
Assembly, and the vote on no question has
yet commanded n purely sectional support.
Last week the division question was dis
cussed, and even On this measure DR.. Coll
Inns. OF Grand Forks, made n strong plea
for division, while Central Dakota and the
member from Mitchell supported Dakota
as a whole.
A memorial to Congress, asking the Gre
Ation Of n new land Office, to be located at
Ninot, in Ward County, is being prepared,
and expected to pass. This new region of
country is rapidly settling, and while ut
tached to the Bismarck land district the
locator is forced 10 60 at least 200 miles
out of his way to reach the land Office.
Two new Counties, Church and Pierce,
have been created, while De Smet is
stricken from the lists,
Next week two members of the House
and one OF the Council, leave to visit the
Sioux Falls penitentiary and the Yankton
asylum. The latter institution has been
criticized by anonymous letters sent to
members Of the House rejecting upon it,
and the friends Of the asylum demanded
an investigation.
Supreme Court has just concluded n
three weeks term. Owing to Judge
Church's successor MOI being here, the